Novato residents protest new community development director, councilmembers defend

Novato residents turned out at Tuesday's City Council meeting to protest Bob Brown's recent appointment to head the city's community development department, and councilmembers responded with a strong defense of Brown.

The five residents who spoke against Brown's appointment at the meeting referred to Brown's record of supporting high-density housing in San Rafael, where he worked for many years as its community development director.

Brown retired from the city of San Rafael in August 2011, became Novato's interim community development director in February 2012 and then became permanent and full-time this month, with an annual salary of $153,132.

"His record of creating high-density (housing) is well-documented. We want to maintain Novato's character and the value of our homes," said Al Dugan, a 30-year Novato resident.

The issue of high-density housing has long been contentious in Novato, with many residents opposing such development, citing concerns about possible crime increases and accompanying decreases in property values.

Dugan and the five other residents who spoke against Brown's appointment at the meeting referred to Brown's record of supporting high-density housing in San Rafael, where he worked for many years as its community development director.

Brown retired from San Rafael in August 2011, became Novato's interim community development director in February 2012 and then became permanent and full-time this month.

Other residents spoke even more forcefully, with Griff McClellan describing Brown and City Manager Michael Frank, who appointed Brown, as "enemies of a city with low crime and low density."

After the public comment session ended, the mayor and members of the council addressed the issue, speaking in support of Brown's appointment.

"Michael (Frank) and Bob (Brown) are not the enemy," said Councilwoman Jeanne MacLeamy. "Bob is a true professional." MacLeamy said Brown is good at finding creative solutions to problems and emphasized that she is not a high-density housing advocate. "You need to hold us accountable. We hold our staff accountable."

"Staff does what the council directs them to do, and the city councilmembers are elected by you," said Novato Mayor Pat Eklund.

"The city manager reports to the council. We don't have rogue employees," said Councilman Eric Lucan. "I ask that you hold City Council accountable as we direct Michael Frank."